Transparent parliamentary process for NDPP appointment says DA

Democratic Alliance (DA) Justice and Constitutional Development spokesperson, Glynnis Breytenbach leads a picket outside the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) offices on July 11, 2017 in Pretoria, South Africa. The DA embarked on the protest hoping to put pressure on the authorities to investigate a series of break-ins at offices of law enforcement agencies.
Photo: Gallo Images / Alet Pretorius.

“What we are suggesting is that there must be a transparent appointment process [of the national director of public prosecutions], it is a big job, as important as that of the public protector. We want a public participation process, where people can be nominated or they can apply.

You have public interviews and you hopefully can get a stronger and more independent appointment,” says Breytenbach.

She says such a process would ensure that the best candidate is appointed and that Ramaphosa can also nominate his own preferred candidate in that process.

Breytenbach is reacting to the Constitutional Court judgement that found that former NDPP Shaun Abrahams’ appointment was constitutionally invalid. President Cyril Ramaphosa has been mandated to fill the position within 90 days. In the interim, Ramaphosa appointed Dr Silas Ramaite as acting NDPP on Tuesday.